Who can get a second 485 visa after regional study
If you completed your qualification at a campus in a designated regional area, you may be eligible for a second Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa in the Post-Study Work stream. The second visa is available only to holders of a first 485 visa granted on the basis of a regional qualification.
The length of the second visa depends on where you studied:
- Category 2 – ‘Cities and major regional centres’: adds one year.
- Category 3 – ‘Regional centres and other regional areas’: adds two years.
Both categories require you to have lived only in that same regional category for at least two years while holding your first 485 visa.
How to apply and what you must prove
To apply for the second 485 visa, you must:
- hold a first Post-Study Work visa granted on the basis of a degree from a regional campus;
- have completed your course at a campus in a designated regional area;
- have lived only in a designated regional area for at least two years immediately before applying;
- meet the standard health, character, and insurance requirements.
You need to provide evidence of your residence, such as rental agreements, utility bills, or employment records that show a regional address.
Using the extra time to build your career
The additional one or two years on a second 485 visa give you full work rights. This period can be used to:
- gain local professional experience in your field;
- meet the work-experience requirement for a permanent employer-sponsored visa (subclass 186) or a state-nominated visa (subclass 190);
- strengthen your points score for a points-tested skilled visa.
Because regional employers often face skills shortages, you may find opportunities that are harder to access in major cities.
FAQ
Q: How long is the second 485 visa if I studied in a Category 3 area?
A: You can get a second visa for two years if you studied in a Category 3 designated regional area and lived there for at least two years on your first 485 visa.
Q: What happens if I move to a city during my first 485 visa?
A: You would not be eligible for a second 485 visa. You must have lived only in a designated regional area throughout the two years immediately before applying.
Q: Can the second 485 visa help me get permanent residency?
A: Yes. The extra time allows you to gain the work experience required for employer-sponsored or state-nominated permanent visas, and you may also earn additional points for Australian work experience in a regional area.